Toshiba again talked about its upcoming Cell TV technology which utilizes the IBM/Sony PowerPC-based Cell processor to allow for advanced video processing and frame interpolation o both standard definition and high definition content. There is a lot being talked about, and a working demo on the show floor, however now they are claiming that this will be shipping in 2009!
LG had an ultra-thin display on hand at CES the LHX. At only 24mm thick, the set sports white LED backlighting that increases the LED block resolution from 120 to 240. While we've seen thin sets and LED backlighting before, what we haven't seen is the set-top box that comes with it. Labeled the LG Wireless Intelligent AV, it comes standard with the new display. It connects wirelessly to the display through a proprietary LG wireless protocol. It also should make setup a bit easier as you'll only have to run power to the display and not additional video cables.
Induction Dynamics introduced the ID1.15 and S1.8 loudspeakers. The two products complete the company's "Super Loudspeaker" line, which also includes the ID1.18 tower loudspeakers and the C1.8 center loudspeaker. The ID1.15 measures 62.5" in height and incorporates a 1.125" high-power soft dome tweeter, a 3" soft dome midrange, an 8" woofer with Kevlar cone, and dual 15" subwoofers with laminated cones. As with the larger ID1.18, the ID1.15 provides very high power handling down to the lowest audible frequencies as well as exceptional sound quality.
The BBSM-10VNF is a floor standing version of the classic BBSM-10 monitor. The 3-way system uses dual 10" woofers, a 6 1/2" cone midrange and 1 1/4" soft dome tweeter in a ported enclosure. The frequency response it rated 40-18K which is surprisingly honest for a $16,000+ speaker. For that alone, Westlake Audio has piqued our interest. Now if someone could just tell us what all the foam is about...
GreenPeak, a Netherlands-based fabless semiconductor company, announced the launch of a new RF wireless radio technology for home theater remote control devices. Where they bring down the house (in terms of their claims, anyway) is that they have developed a set of reference designs for a new generation of RF remote controls that will run nearly forever without requiring a battery change for the expected life of the remote or device.
